Yucca extract grain tempering mixture and process

ABSTRACT

A mixture and process for tempering feed grain by adding a natural surfactant in the form of a extract of the yucca plant to the grain. The yucca extract contains generally 10 to 11 percent sarsasaponin by weight which is diluted with water and sprayed on grain just prior to processing in rollers for flaking to increase water intake and gelatinization. The mixture also contains small amounts of copper sulfate and sodium benzoate as preservatives. Combinations of the mixture can also be used such as combinations with other known grain tempering compositions. The grain tempering yucca extract mixture is either sprayed on the grain as it is dumped into a steam cabinet or is sprayed on the grain which is then allowed to sit in a conditioning tank for a predetermined period of time.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to compositions for tempering or conditioningfeed grain and more particularly relates to the use of sarsasaponincontaining extract from Yucca plants to temper grain.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Grains such as milo, corn, and others for feeding cattle are typicallyprocessed to aid in their digestion as well as to increase the intake ofnutrients. Such processing takes the form of rolling or flaking the cornor milo after softening it in a steam chamber. Products are availablewhich assist in conditioning or softening the grain to reduce the costsof the processing. These products generally increase the moisture intakeallowing thinner higher volume flakes to be produced by the rollingprocess.

Another aspect of this process is that processing costs can be reduced.Processing with these conditioners is less detrimental to machinery andrequires less power thus reducing costs.

The resultant grain tempering processes presently available produce amuch improved feed grain which results in improved grain feedefficiency. Greater moisture absorption and thinner rolling of the graininto flakes causes increased gelatinization resulting in improved animalconsumption and assimilation.

In grain processing or rolling to produce flakes production capacity mayalso be limited because of the lack of moisture in the grain which meansthat the rolling process requires greater pressure and increased power.The resistance caused by the grain having a minimum amount of themoisture also can reduce production volume in addition to the wear andtear on the processing machinery.

A disadvantage of some of the present grain conditioning or temperingmaterials is that they are chemical compounds which can be caustic orcorrosive to machinery. Further, some tempering or grain conditioningchemical compositions might be toxic to the cattle. It would beadvantageous if a grain tempering product were available that wasnon-caustic, non-corrosive corrosive and naturally occuring surfactantwhich could be used to condition or temper grain.

It is therefore one object of the present invention to provide a graintempering mixture that is non-caustic, non-corrosive which will notcorrode feed milling equipment or be a hazard to people who have tohandle it.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a grain temperingmixture which contains a natural surfactant which is already foodapproved.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a naturaloccurring grain tempering mixture which can aid in the water or moistureuptake by grain allowing more water to be added at a fast rate over ashorter period of time.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a naturaloccurring tempering product which sufficiently tempers grain to reducefriction and wear on grain processing equipment as it is a naturallubricant.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a naturaloccurring grain tempering product which reduces fines in the feed milland feed bunk.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a naturallyoccurring grain tempering product which increases gelatinization ofstarch in grain, rendering it more digestible.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a graintempering process which increases the bulk of grain providing more tonsof grain per processed dry grain.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a naturally occurringsurfactant for use in grain tempering which will improve grainprocessing both in the amount of grain produced and volume of grain andwill also reduce production costs. The product of the present inventionis formulated by a simple extraction process that is known in the artfor extracting sarsasaponin containing extracts from a variety of Yuccaplants particularly Yucca Schidigera and others which are the subject ofmany patents such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,791,581, 2,715,122, and 2,895,953.This Yucca extract contains generally in the range of 10 to 11 percenttotal dissolved solids by weight. Approximately one-half of the totaldissolved solids are made up of steroidal saponins hereinaftercollectively referred to as sarsasaponin. Sarsasaponin or sarsasapogeninsaponin as they are referred to in the literature would represent onlyone of a group of steroidal saponins found Yucca extracts andsmilogenin, hecogenin saponin, rockogenin saponin and tigogenin saponinmay also be present in lesser amounts. To this extract is addedapproximately 200 parts per million of either copper sulfate or sodiumbenzoate as a perservative which is approximately one ounce per 40 to 50gallons. This sarsasaponin product or extract can be diluted with waterand sprayed on grain just prior to processing to increase water intakeand gelatinization and improve overall costs of grain processing.

The product or extract containing sarsasaponin can be used alone but isgenerally used in combination with other known formulated chemicalcompositions. One preferred mixture combines 10 to 11 percentsarsasaponin with a 25 percent propylene glycol (by weight) compositionto prevent freezing during winter. The resultant mixture containsapproximately 7.5% to 8.25% plant saponins, 2.75% propylene glycol, 200parts per million copper sulfate or sodium benzoate and the remainderwater.

Before being used for grain tempering this mixture is further dilutedapproximately 20 to 100 parts with water to give a satisfactorydistribution in grain feed application. Applications of the graintempering composition are accomplished through a metering pump, areservoir tank containing the diluted product, a hose and a spraynozzle.

The above and other features and objects of the invention will be morefully understood from the following detailed description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The grain tempering product of the present invention is comprised of anextract containing Sarsasaponin and particularly a Yucca shidegraextract which is diluted and applied to grain just prior to processingor is combined with other mixtures. The diluted yucca sarsasaponin ismetered and sprayed on grain just prior to the grain being steamed. Thatis, as the grain is gravity fed down a chute to a steam chamber, thegrain tempering mixture is sprayed on the grain at a rate ofapproximately 5 gallons of diluted, mixed extract containingsarsasaponin per ton of milo grain or other grain. After being sprayedthe temperature in the steam chamber or cabinet is raised toapproximately 208° to 210° F. and held there (usually by steam flowregulation) for a period of about 10 to 20 minutes. The grain is thenallowed to drop from the steam cabinet or chamber through rolls wherebyboth the heat, moisture, and pressure result in a flaked, gelatinized,desirable end product.

As an alternative, the extract containing sarsasaponin can be combinedwith other products before application to the grain. One such product ispropylene glycol commonly added to reduce or prevent freezing duringwinter. This is mixed with the Yucca extract in proportions such thatthere is about 2.75% propylene glycol. This mixture is shipped as is forlater dilution with water for spraying on the grain as it comes down achute to a steam chamber. For application through spray nozzles theproduct is typically diluted in water (1:20 to 1:100) to give asatisfactory distribution during feed grain processing. One type ofindustry feed mill is set up with overhead grain bins and drop chutesthat allow gravity flow feed of the grain to processing equipment. Thegravity flow from the overhead bin allows the grain to flow down thechute usually at a 45 degree angle. A spray nozzle positioned adjacentto a delivery chute can spray the diluted mixture from a reservoir tankthrough a hose by means of a pump which meters the flow to approximately150-200 ml sarsasaponin per ton. Thus the tempering mixture is sprayedonto the grain just before it drops into the steam cabinet.

One example of such processing equipment is a Ross Roller mill with aone ton capacity grain steam chest or cabinet. The Ross mill has rollersthat are about 18×24, with ten grooves per inch and are set for milo atapproximately a 0.003" clearance and for corn at a 0.2" clearance. Cornis much larger than milo and therefore is slightly more difficult toroll. A half inch inner diameter hose can be used to deliver mixture toa fan spray nozzle attached to the side of a delivery chute such as adrop chute just below the door of the overhead grain bin. Rollerrotational rates would be set to process in the range of approximately200 pounds of rolled grain per minute for milo or one ton every tenminutes. The power to drive the roller is measured by amperage (i.e.amps) which fluctuates and is influenced by grain hardness or kernelsize. Application of the grain tempering mixture of the presentinvention can reduce the power or amps and influence (i.e. improve) thecosts of flaking or processing.

A variation of the process disclosed herein is that of dry rolling corn.This variation involves the same initial steps as steam processing miloexcept no steam is applied. The grain is sprayed as it is dropped intothe steam cabinet and the grain allowed to condition or temper insidethe steam cabinet for a minimum of five minutes before it is rolled.Some feed mills are equipped with a tempering "tank" in which the grainmay be conditioned instead of allowing the grain to "condition" in asteam cabinet. As mentioned previously, the rolls are set wider apart toaccomodate the larger size of the corn kernel as compared to milo. Inthe processing the conditioned grain it is allowed to drop from thecabinet through the rolls where the moisture and pressure result in arolled, conditioned end product.

A variation of the process is the combination of the extract containingsarsasaponin with other manufacturers chemical formulations.Formulations or products which the sarsasaponin may be combined with areproducts known by the trademarks of E-Z Flake, Temper, and SuperKem-Flake. The E-Z Flake and Super Kem-Flake were combined withsarsasaponin to provide 200 ml/ton of grain of E-Z Flake for each 150 mlof the sarsasaponin extract. Temper was combined with extract containingsarsasaponin to provide 100 ml/ton of Temper per each 150 ml ofsarsasaponin. The Super Kem-Flake combination seemed to respond best incombination with sarsasaponin extract. Grain volume increased as bushelweights dropped an additional 8% while moisture uptake increased byapproximately 4% or more. The extract containing sarsasaponin temperingalone did just as well as the combinations to produce starchgelatinization. The chemical composition of these products are:

(1) E-Z Flake: lecithin, proprionic acid and water.

(2) Temper: ammonium lignin sulfonate, phosphoric acid, poloxylene, 1-2propanediol, proprionic acid and anise.

(3) Super Kem-Flake: Deionized water, proprionic acid, ammoniumchloride, trisodium phosphate, monoglyceride, diglyceride, acetic acid,proplyene glycol and artificial color.

In addition to the mixtures described above other possible variations ofthe tempering process are the substitution of other Yucca extracts forYucca Schidigera extract by removing the soluble solids and substitutingthem for the particular Yucca extract or sarsasaponin previously used.Many Yucca species contain steroidal saponins in similar quantities ascompared to Yucca Schidigera as determined by total dissolved solids.However, the relative proportion of individual steroidal saponins mayvary. For example, sarsasapogenin and smilogenin saponin, whichpredominate in Yucca Schidigera, may be present in lesser amounts ascompared to tigogenin saponin, among others, found in other Yuccaspecies. These extracts may also be effective in grain conditioning assteroidal saponins from Yucca Schidigera extract produced for thatpurpose. Based upon surfactant activity the steroidal saponins fromother Yucca species may produce similar results; and may be as effectiveas the Yucca Schidigera extract produced for the purpose of conditioninggrain disclosed herein.

Grain processing using the grain tempering products containing thesarsasaponin extract resulted in the following improvements.

(1) Moisture uptake of the grain was increased in the range of 8 to 12percent.

(2) Less steam time was required to maintain the same quality flakes ofgrain. That is, approximately 10 to 15 minutes versus the normal 20minutes without the use of the grain tempering product.

(3) Greater grain volume was produced by lower bushel weights of grainby adding 150 to 200 mililiters of sarsasaponin extract per ton.

(4) Higher percentage gelatinized starch was obtained.

Thus there has been disclosed a novel, natural occurring grain temperingproduct and process which greatly improves volume, moisture uptake, andprocessing of cattle feed grain. The product described can be used alonein a diluted fashion or combined with other products for graintempering.

The invention is not to be limited by the embodiments described in thedescription which are given by way of example and not limitation butonly in accordance with the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A grain conditioning mixture for treating feedgrain being processed into flakes to increase water intake of the grainimproving gelatinization and digestibility comprised of;a Yucca extractcontaining sarsasaponin mixed with approximately 2.75% propylene glycol,and 20 to 100 parts water per part of said Yucca extract whereby saidmixture improves. grain wetability, moisture intake and gelatinizationwhen sprayed onto said feed, thereby increasing the volume of processedgrain.
 2. The mixture according to claim 1 in which said Yucca extractcontains approximately 10% sarsasaponin.
 3. The mixture according toclaim 2 in which said Yucca extract containing sarsasaponin is anextract from the Yucca Schidigera plant.
 4. A process for conditioninggrain to improve water intake and gelatinization when undergoing aflaking process comprising;mixing a Yucca extract containingsarsasaponin with approximately 2.75% propylene glycol; diluting saidmixture of Yucca plant extract containing sarsaponin and propyleneglycol with approximately 20 to 100 parts water spraying said grain withsaid diluted mixture of Yucca extract containing sarsasaponin andpropylene glycol evenly on said grain prior to delivery to flakeprocessing machinery; Whereby moisture intake and gelatinization areimproved and the volume of processed grain resulting from the flakeprocess is increased.
 5. The process according to claim 4 in which saidYucca plant extract contains approximately 10% sarsasaponin.
 6. Theprocess according to claim 5 in which said Yucca plant extract is aYucca Schidigera extract.